Alex Moore

Work on the final phase of the redevelopment of The Moor can now begin after councillors approved plans for a three-storey shop.

Members of the planning committee were quick to vote in favour of Aberdeen Asset Management's plans to replace the old Co-operative department store and McDonald's restaurant, opposite Debenham's along Furnival Gate.

The corner shop on The Moor which is due to be knocked down and replaced.

The only concerns raised were over the choice of reconstituted Portland Stone as the building material - which council officers said had already been successfully used on the new cinema development - and the inclusion of a large advertising screen on the front corner of the new shop.

At today's meeting planning officer Lucy Bond said the highways department had been uncomfortable about the screen, so there were strict conditions governing its use.

She added: "In terms of showing TV, it would not be appropriate for people to gather to watch things like the snooker because next to it will still be quite a busy highway."

Work on the new shop can now begin. Once complete it will be home to a major fashion retailer, and although no name has yet been confirmed, an artist's impression suggests it will be H&M. The ground floor will also have a 'leisure' aspect.

The project is the final part of the redevelopment of The Moor, which began with the Moor Market and is continuing with the new Primark store, which opened in October, and the nine-screen Light cinema and seven restaurants, due to open in the spring.

Head of retail asset management at Aberdeen Asset Management Phil Huby said: "The redevelopment of The Moor has reached a tipping point.

"The public can see the changes, footfall is increasing and we are looking forward to welcoming more retail and leisure over the coming months."

Sheffield Council wants The Moor to link with the Sheffield Retail Quarter. Work on the first stage of that project, a six storey office block and shops on a revamped Charter Square nearby, is underway.